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Renzo Gracie Academy

4.7 ★★★★★ 224 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in New York, New York

Muay Thai gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fight team

Classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsui, Muay Thai & mixed martial arts, from beginners to black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Drop-ins drop-ins run around $45 — many gyms also offer monthly memberships and a discounted first session, so ask about new-member rates
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes (ages 6–13) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule renzogracieacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 212-279-6724

Hours

Monday 7 am–9 pm
Tuesday 7 am–9 pm
Wednesday 7 am–9 pm
Thursday 7 am–9 pm
Friday 7 am–9 pm
Saturday 9:30 am–1:30 pm
Sunday 9 am–12 pm

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at Renzo Gracie Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai

“Students were super cool and it was an amazing experience to walk into the World Headquarters of the Renzo Gracie Academy for the first time!”

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💪 Women's Muay Thai

“There is also an expertly run women's program as well.”

All gyms that run women's muay thai →

🥊 Sparring

“Nice technical session and sparring, Professor was very welcoming, as were the students.”

All gyms that run sparring →

📘 Fundamentals 3 mentions

“I peeked my head in and saw the foundations class was well-attended and organized in the other room adjacent to us, and the Muay Thai mat was high-energy!”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

🛡️ Self-Defense

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Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Renzo Gracie Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Boxing

“Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Boxing… I love this gym!”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 19 mentions

“The best gym ever, Master Renzo should he happen to be there is the most charismatic man I ever met and his stories and love for jiujitsu make him the legend he is.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

🏟️ MMA 4 mentions

“This is the location of the famous “blue basement” where that created many world-class instructors, and MMA and BJJ world champions.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🤸 Wrestling

“Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Boxing… I love this gym!”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 224 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“Students were super cool and it was an amazing experience to walk into the World Headquarters of the Renzo Gracie Academy for the first time!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 16 mentions

“I was welcomed by very friendly staff at the front desk, introduced to the instructor and given a tour.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“I very particular style of teaching with a step by step approach while constantly being on the cutting edge of the latest and newest techniques.”

🔥 killer workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“In conclusion: good technique, good cardio, but too many Instagram black belts.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 4 mentions

“His knowledge within the competition square is unmatched and he explains concepts in a way anyone can understand.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 5 mentions

“I was a bit shocked at how clean the gym was and how friendly and helpful the people were.”

From the reviews

Brother, this jiu-jitsu class… good, but too much drama. Coach say “relax,” but how I relax when small guy try choke me like he want inheritance? I tell him, “Brother, this only training,” but he squeeze like I owe him money.Rolling session? Everybody think they lion. Nobody want to tap.

★★★★★ — Fusion, Nov 2025

I don’t often give reviews but felt compelled to after reading a few negative reviews. I was a bit shocked at how clean the gym was and how friendly and helpful the people were. As soon as I walked in I was greeted with a big smiling hello by a Muay Thai instructor.

★★★★★ — Jim, Aug 2025

A great way to spend a Sunday morning in Renzo's Academy in NYC. Nice technical session and sparring, Professor was very welcoming, as were the students. Thanks all 🥋🙏👊

★★★★★ — Dave, Mar 2025

This is the HQ of Team Renzo Gracie, and has been at the forefront of the BJJ scene in NYC since the 1990’s. This is the location of the famous “blue basement” where that created many world-class instructors, and MMA and BJJ world champions. With three floors, they offer gi and no-gi BJJ, Muay Thai, and MMA.

★★★★★ — Carl, Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 224 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Renzo Gracie Academy

Renzo Gracie Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first muay thai class at Renzo Gracie Academy

Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Renzo Gracie Academy

224 W 30th St, New York, NY10001

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.